Even at the vet?!?

[PureNightAir]

im not antagonising, the topic was being discussed before i made that comment.

 

[Daeraelle]

If there was a way to have a leash for a snake, I'm sure it wouldn't need to be brought in, in a tank or carrier. My cat and dog both have to have leashes to go into the vet's office. It's to prevent injury to your animal and other animals. I'm just saying the irrational fear of snakes caused by people being ignorant is what I have a problem with. I have a fear of anything with an exo skeleton, but I'm not going to trample anybody trying to get out of the pet store when I see a tarantula. A pet tarantula and a wild wolf spider are two totally different things. But people who are afraid of snakes can't even see the difference between a rattle snake and a corn snake, much less the difference between wild and captive bred. I've only had my cornsnake a week and a day and everyone who comes in and sees the tank says "What's in it?" Then I say "A baby cornsnake" Then they say "Do they bite? Aren't they poisonous? What ever possessed you to want a snake?!" If I said I had a cotton mouth or something, I would understand. But a corn snake? Someone actually told me a snake would suck my soul out of me. :roflmao: Then again, someone else told me once that my cat could hypnotize me and make me stop breathing. :shrugs:

 

[Adui]

... Someone actually told me a snake would suck my soul out of me. :roflmao: Then again, someone else told me once that my cat could hypnotize me and make me stop breathing. :shrugs:

How many snakes do you own?? how many did you plan on when you started?? how many will you have when you die?? if you answered mroe than 2 then you have fallen victim to the evil soul sucking Corn snake!! :roflmao: :rofl:

Seriously, the vet I recently took my dog too had a sign up. All small pets MUST be in a carrier.. Cats, Small dogs, birds, whatever.. Its to keep your pet safe.

 

[nehpets1]

But people who are afraid of snakes can't even see the difference between a rattle snake and a corn snake, much less the difference between wild and captive bred.

That's exactly how my gf's aunt sees it... "My future nephew keeps 28 king kobras in his house! There's no way I'm going over there for a barbeque."

 

[PnyKlr]

That's exactly how my gf's aunt sees it... "My future nephew keeps 28 king kobras in his house! There's no way I'm going over there for a barbeque."

:-offtopic This is how my grandmother is about drugs: every drug is called "dope." When I was in high school, she would ask me, "Are you or our friends on dope?"

"No, Grandma."

"Are you telling the truth? You are very hungry, and you keep rubbing your nose. That is exactly the way people on dope act."

"Grandma, I have allergies and it's lunchtime. Of course I'm hungry and sniffling."

"Ok, then. Don't do the dope."

"Alright, Grandma."

 

[bitsy]

I'm just saying the irrational fear of snakes caused by people being ignorant is what I have a problem with. I have a fear of anything with an exo skeleton, but I'm not going to trample anybody trying to get out of the pet store when I see a tarantula.

You may have a problem with it, but phobia sufferers can't help it. You have no control over the reaction that might accidentally injure your snake.

I'm phobic about bees and wasps. If I was trapped in a room with one and you were in front of the door that was my escape route, you can bet your boots I'd trample you to get out! I've been known to barge aside small children in my panic to get away from bees and wasps. It is genuinely irrational and uncontrollable. Some people feel the same way about snakes.

But people who are afraid of snakes can't even see the difference between a rattle snake and a corn snake

That's right. That's a phobia. And any amount of evangelising by you, won't help them. Endless people have tried to explain to me how nice bees are and how lovely their honey is and how they helpfully pollinate flowers and crops, but you know what? I don't care as long as they're nice, lovely and helpful, far away from me!

Whether you "have a problem with it" or not, other people's feelings are a reality and can be a threat to your snake. You do need to take them into account when out in public.

 

[Daeraelle]

I've had a close call when someone peered into the tank in the vet's waiting room without asking first, expecting to see a small furry of some sort. When they saw a snake, they lashed out at the tank and knocked it out of my hands before they ran off screaming. Now the snake goes into a pillowcase, then into the tank and I refuse any requests to see it.

So you would be so scared of a bee in a closed up container that you would trample small children and that's ok because you have a phobia?

I'm not talking about people with a genuine phobia. By the way, there are ways to getting around a phobia and getting over it or at least making it a little more tolerable, and if you ever took a rudimentary high school psychology class, you would know that.

I'm talking about people who are scared of snakes because of ignorance. Because they think every snake is evil, they think every snake is poisonous and they think every snake is aggressive. Because of ignorance. They don't believe snakes will suck your soul out because it's a fact, they believe it because somebodies great great grandma told their kids that because she was probably tired of little boys bringing snakes home. They don't believe every snake is poisonous because every snake they have ever encountered in their lives has been dangerous, they think every snake is poisonous and so they kill harmless snakes and think they've done a great service because it would attack them and their family and they would all die.

That's what I had a problem with. I thought it was clear when I said I have a problem with irrational fear of snakes because of IGNORANCE. I didn't say I had a problem with people that have an irrational fear of snakes because of a mental problem they have. I've learned to control my phobia of spiders. I used to not be able to breathe if I saw a spider, I would have a panic attack. So, yes, it is possible to get over a debilitating phobia. No, I'm not going to rush out and buy a tarantula, but I wouldn't injure myself or someone else or someone else's pet spider because I can't control myself.

Then again... maybe you brought up phobias when I was talking about ignorance because of an insecurity on your part?

 

[dwyn127]

I admire your restraint, but those moments are where I really "shine" :grin01:

Got that right, bring a few x-tra along for the ride, just to keep him company. (one on left arm, one around neck, one as a belt):cheers:

 

[Adui]

....I've learned to control my phobia of spiders. I used to not be able to breathe if I saw a spider, I would have a panic attack. So, yes, it is possible to get over a debilitating phobia. No, I'm not going to rush out and buy a tarantula, ...

:-offtopic Why not? That's what I did.. its good therapy! (I once nearly wrecked a car because a tiny little millimeter sized spider dropped from the visor while i was doing sixty, among other things I did I grabbed the door handle, yes letting go of the wheel.. I was going to bail out but my passenger saved me..)

Not picking at ya, just suggesting you consider it.. I don't mind spiders now, after three years with a Tarantula before he quit eating and died on me

But then, I'm a wierdo.. after all I own a SNAKE :roflmao:

 

[tricksterpup]

I had to take one of my snakes in to the vet once--a little shoestring all of 16" long--and I had to assist the vet myself because none of the vet techs would come into the examing room with the snake. And I also had a silver haired, snooty old woman in the waiting room tell me that snakes are NOT pets. Dogs are pets, cats are pets, but snakes are NOT.

hehe.. if it was me Becky, I would have looked at her and said my snake could eat your dog.

As everyone here has stated about fear of others seeing their snakes. the best thing to do is to Place it in a bag. It will save you and your pet any head aches. I haven't asked my snakes personally, but they tend to be more comfortable and at ease in bags. I need to get a large one for my Boa now.

 

[bitsy]

Then again... maybe you brought up phobias when I was talking about ignorance because of an insecurity on your part?

LOL! :cheers:

 

[Shrap]

When someone at the not so local exotic shop says they don't like snakes I ask them: 'what animals are on the health symbol?' then they normally realise they're not so bad. (But still won't touch one. Just watch behind a locked piece of glass)! :shrugs:

 

[Paradox]

I know lots of people who are afraid of snakes...after a bit of an introduction and watching it for a while through the glass, they usually come to their senses and realise it's not trying to eat them. They still don't like them, but just a bit of education can really make a differance...

As for going to the vet, I keep all my animals in cages etc at the vet, for their safety. I'd definatly hide the snake in a bag, living in a small village (As I do), people tend not to be well educated about exotic pets...Proven by the fact that when I got my corn snake, the neighbours put their house up for sale :eek1:

 

[kansasgirl]

Are most exotic vets, solely exotics, or do they handle cats and dogs as well?
I mean, keeping snakes put up at a snake vet is still a good idea... prevents disease transmission, but i would expect that few people could make a living actually being ONLY a snake vet.[/QUOTE]

Depends on the size of the town/city. Being just a herp vet is pretty hard to do but there might be about half a dozen across the USA in big cities. Just an exotics vet is a lot easier but there you're dealing with mammals, marsupials, birds and herps, plus sometimes fish too. In smaller areas the exotics vet often sees dogs and cats too - they pay the bills and help even out the schedule. Exotic animal medicine in smaller areas is often primarily emergency work which is frustrating.

The rule to always confine your pet is a good one, because there's always someone who doesn't - if you have a snake in an enclosure they're so much safer. If you have a dog on a leash they could still get nailed by another dog off leash (or poorly controlled leash - like retractable ones the owners never retract!), but if you're following the rules it's easier to sue the idiot who didn't.

Sherry

 

[BeckyG]

hehe.. if it was me Becky, I would have looked at her and said my snake could eat your dog.

.

I wouldn't. I wouldn't have changed her prejudice by antagonizing her. So I just smiled in amusement at her ignorance and let it slide.